Abstract:     Responsible innovation is increasingly important for digital firms. However, existing literature largely ignores the drivers of digital firm′s responsible innovation. Based on the TOE framework, we built a theoretical model to identify the driving paths and mechanisms of digital firm′s responsible innovation. Utilizing the fsQCA method, we conducted a configurational analysis on 29 typical cases of digital firms in China, and explored the effect of technological, organizational, and environmental factors on firm responsible innovation. We found through the study that digital firm′s responsible innovation is the combined effect of multiple factors, and a high level of responsible innovation cannot be achieved without technological support. Further, three configurations for high responsible innovation were identified to reveal two mechanisms, an autonomous mechanism constituted by R&D personnel input and the establishment of CSR committee, and a collaborative co-creation mechanism formed through the adoption of digital technologies and the cultivation of a trust culture. Finally, digital firm′s responsible innovation was found to be internally driven. Regardless of technological support, the environmental regulation mechanism fails to drive digital firm′s responsible innovation. Our findings will contribute to study on the drivers of firm responsible innovation, and deepen our understanding of the driving paths and mechanisms of digital firm′s responsible innovation.

Key words:  responsible innovation, driving path, configuration analysis, digital firm